smudge

[ smuhj ]

noun

1. a dirty mark or smear.
2. a smeary state.
3. a stifling smoke.
4. a smoky fire, especially one made for driving away mosquitoes or safeguarding fruit trees from frost.

verb (used with object)

, smudged, smudg·ing.

1. to mark with dirty streaks or smears.
2. to fill with smudge, as to drive away insects or protect fruit trees from frost.

verb (used without object)

, smudged, smudg·ing.

1. to form a smudge on something.
2. to become smudged:

   White shoes smudge easily.

3. to smolder or smoke; emit smoke, as a smudge pot.

smudge

/ smʌdʒ /

verb

1. to smear, blur, or soil or cause to do so
2. tr to fill (an area) with smoke in order to drive insects away or guard against frost

noun

1. a smear or dirty mark
2. a blurred form or area

   that smudge in the distance is a quarry

3. a smoky fire for driving insects away or protecting fruit trees or plants from frost

Derived Forms

• ˈsmudgeless, adjective
• ˈsmudgily, adverb

Other Words From

• smudged·ly adverb
• smudgeless adjective
• un·smudged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of smudge¹

1400–50; late Middle English smogen (v.) < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of smudge¹

C15: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

His sneakers are the first clue — worn, white Nike trainers smudged with dirt.

From Los Angeles Times

I saw Trevor around the gym for months — scattered tattoos and black tank top with a cute smudge of climbing chalk on their ears.

From Los Angeles Times

But, against the odds, he found what he hoped for - a brown smudge on the white ice sheet.

From BBC

There are brushstrokes and smudges, as if the world were realized in pastels.

From Los Angeles Times

Hot hot to get the interview, then a little stinky and smudged afterward.

From Salon

Related Words

• blemish
• blot